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2010s–2020s SUPPLEMENT TO EYEWORLD | 53 Industry contributing to education e relationship between ASCRS and ophthalmic companies Industry, Mr. Speares said, has always done so much to train surgeons (especially young surgeons), but around 2010, there was a shi where the U.S. government started to question industry's involvement. As a result, industry pulled back a bit. "I think ASCRS did a good job of seeing a little vacuum there. Elizabeth Yeu is largely responsible for putting the pedal to the metal on not just the creation but the develop- ment of the YES Clinical Committee and trying to do more to train young surgeons to be profi- cient ophthalmologists in every facet." With his foundation in the ophthalmic in- dustry, Mr. Speares has a unique perspective and thinks that industry and company representatives know well what the average ophthalmologist needs on a day-to-day basis. "When you're in in- dustry, you advocate for all of your customers. You want all of them to do better surgery, you want all of them to be exposed to the latest and the greatest techniques and technolog y, you want their prac- tices to do well, which ultimately leads to their patients doing well." he said. "I came to this job with a good understanding of when industry is trying to push the boundaries and was very cognizant of the responsibility that we have in terms of the staff and the leadership to maintain our integrity and our independence. We need industry. Industry helps us do a huge number of things. But you have to walk a fine line and say, 'We're partners, and we support each other, but at times our interests are not aligned. And that's okay. We all understand the eco- nomics of Medicare.'" Practices need industry to help innovate, Dr. Hol- land said, adding that when he was the Annual Meeting Program Chair, he always stressed the importance of members visiting he Exhibit Hall to speak with industry representatives. "I think we consider industry a partner, and we make them successful, they make us as surgeons successful, and we have better outcomes for our pa- tients." Ophthalmolog y is a constantly evolving landscape, Mr. Speares said. "As we transitioned from extracap to phaco, a lot of money came into ophthalmolog y, and even more money came into anterior segment ophthal- molog y as gold standard glaucoma medications came along, combination therapies came along, and revenue started to peak. What you then have is consolidation where you don't have as many companies. en we saw entire categories of branded pharmaceuticals go generic and generic meds don't carry the margins or marketing spend that proprietary drugs carry. You don't have as many events and activities, and that indirectly impacts the Society because there is less in the category to sup- port education, activities, and other meetings," he said. "We're really focusing our efforts now on the Annu- al Meeting," he explained, adding that small satellite ASCRS meetings will take place around the country. "We've found that people like to learn in small environ- ments on occasion, so even at our big meeting, we have breakout sessions and roundtable discussions, and that's intended to try to nurture these organic, small conversa- tions that make the meeting so valuable." e ASCRS Exhibit Hall has been a mainstay of the Annual Meeting over the years, evolving with the times and connect- ing industry representatives to ophthalmologists. Source (all): ASCRS

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